Resilient wheel



F. B. cRrr'cHLow RE'S 1LIENT WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed Nov. 17. 1920 Patented 0st. 2l, 1924.

iii? T 'rss PATENT 11 FRANCIS B. CRTCZI-ILOW, OF SALT kLAKE CITY, UTAH.

RnsrLIENT WHEEL.

Application filed November 17, 1920.- Serial No. 424,581.

rlear,'concise, and exact description, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisvspecication.

My invention relates to vehicle wheels, and particularly to resilient wheels for absorbing shocks arising from irregularities in the road and stresses, such as are caused by the weight of the vehicle, the driving torque and the like.

Heretofore, there have been provided various types of resilient wheels having the resiliency7 either in the spokes, or in the form of springs or other cushioning means interposed between the rim and hub. ln some cases, therim itself has been constructed of thin resilient metallic bands. The fundamental principle involved in the majority of these types, regardless of the disposition of the resilient means, is that of securing the resiliency by distorting either the shape of the rim of the wheel from a true circle or by displacing the axle from the geometrical center of the wheel.. The chief disadvantage of such action is that unequal. distribution of the stress upon the rim results, and at the saine time, the forward motion of the vehicle is hindered, The stresses are all concentrated upon one small part of the structure.'

lt is the further object of this invention to provide a construction wherein the shock absorbing means is disposed inthe rim of the wheel. The spokes of the wheel are prete ably rigid in structure and are pivoted to the rim atvpoints about the periphery, at which points the rim isprovided with resilient loops, or other contractible means, allowing for shortening of the circumference. The spokes are pivotally mounted and act simultaneously to contract the rim when aY shock is imparted at any point about the periphei'y. f

It is afurther aim of my invention to provide a novel, simple and compact resilient wheel, involving a minimum number of parts, which will be durable in use, and which may be cheaply inanufactured.

Other aims of my invention not heretoforeset forth will appear from the following detailed description and claims, taken with an inspection ofl the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a resilient ,wheel embodying` the. basic form of my invention;

Figure Qfis a vertical sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of an alternative form of resilient wheel embodying my invention; r

Figure et is a fragmentary isometric detail view of the means for compensating for the shrinking of the circumference as employed in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of an alternative form of resilientwheel embodying my invention;

Figure (Sis a fragmentary elevational view of another alternative forni of resilient wheel embodyingV my invention Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view taken in topr plan as indicated by the arrow directed numerals 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of construction;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of ak modification of the forni shown in Figure l;

Figure 1 0 is a fragmentarv view of a modiiication of the .it Figure-3;l n y Figure. 1lis a fragmentary elevational view of another modified form of resilient wheel. embodying my invention; and

Figure l2 iS a Similar view illustrating a form ofv'wheel adaptedto 'carry atlre cav in shown iii pable of ladjusting itselfto circumferential variations ofthe iwheel. e

ln the. form of resilient wheels shown in Figures kl and 2, which 'is the basic embodielevational metallic band, circular in forin,

adj aeent spokes lially uniformly.

Vment` of my invention, the-usual hub 5 is to each other upon the outer periphery of the hub, and although they are shown as integral, it is readily apparent that any other arrangement will serve the purpose. The outer or Aperiph ral edges of the flanges 6 and 7 are provided with apertured lugs into which pass the pivot pins 8, Pivotally disposed upon the pin 8 and between the flanges G and 7 is a sleeve member S carrying a pair of integral spokes 9 and 10 which extend diagonally from the flanges 6 and T, preferably tangential to the flanges.

The rim 11, in this instance, is made of a having about the circumference a plurality of inwardly extending integral loops 12, which are so formedk as to give a resilient character to the rim 11. This arrangement results in the provision of integral circumferential rim sections 13, which are spaced apart from and joined to each other by the loops 12. In forming the loop 12, the metal is shaped into one side of the loop Vand then curved to form a smaller loop ror pivotal connection 14 to which are 'pivoted the spokes 9 and 10 by means of the pin15. Then the remaining side of the loop 12 is properly shaped. ,lpon the outer perimeter of the rim is provided a tire in the form of tread blocks 16 which are preferably spaced, so as to prevent interference thereof during contraction and expansion of the rim 11.

lt will be apparent that instead of pivoting the spokes 9 and 10 to the loops12'they could, as an alternative arrangement, be piv oted to the rim sections 13. This arrangement is illustrated iii Figure 9. The riin sections 13 ai'e provided, preferably midway between the loops 12, with'the pivotal loop connections 'lS, which are similar to the pivotal connections 1l. To these loops f8 are pivoted the spokes by the usual pins 15. y

Assume that a shockis imparted to the wheel through the portion of the rim l1 adiacentthe road, suoli shock being due to a sharp irregularity in the road bed.A The hub 5 continues to inove forwardly, while the riin, for .an .infinitely short interval, ceases inV its onward iiioveinent,as a. result of striking the obstructions and thereby iinparte an ini Ad compression stress to-'the 9 and 10. This'force acting through thespokes produces slight rotation of the hub flanges@ and 7 in ladvance of the niotion of the wheel, with the result that all of the spokes 9 and 10 are drawn inwardly and the wheel is contr cted substan- This contraction is practically instantaneous, contracting and expanding Vthe circumference of the wheel, the effective radius is made to accommodate the irregularities in Aformed integral. with the spokes 21.

and by alternately miesen the road bed so that the forward motion of the hub is substantially on a straight line. It will be noted that any material stress imparted to the wheel in absorbing the shock is distributed substantially about theentire circumference of the wheel. Then the wheel isV on a power driving shaft the contraction of the circumference is assisted by the action of the continued driving rotation of the hub flanges 6 and 7 in drawing inwardly on the spokes when the wheel is m0- nientarily retarded upon striking an obstruction. Y f v Referring to Figure 8 wherein is shown an improved form of resilient wheel,-the hub 20, in this instance, is preferably Secure-d in any suitable manner 4to the outer ends of the spokes is the inner rigid rim 22, which is of a diameter smaller than the usual wheel rim. Disposed circumferentially about the rigid rim V22 are the inner and outer resilient band rims 23 and 24. respectively, which are arranged in spaced relation so as to jointlyrcontract and expand. By reference tdFigure il, it Ywill be vnoted that the outer rim is provided with similar resilient loops 25, each provided centrally with the upstanding pivotal bearing portion 26 for the reception of a pintle member 27 whichcarries at each end thereof the pair of auxiliary spokes orlinks 28 and 29.

The opposite ends of the links 2S are pivoted to integral lugs 31 formed upon the rigid rim 22 by means of the pintle 31. The links 29 are attheir opposite ends pivoted to similar integral lugs 32, which are in this instance formed upon the circumferential sliding band which is guided and retained in proper position by means of the guides 34. The guides' 3,4: are disposed at proper intcrif'als about the perimeter of the across the outer Y rigid rim 22 and are luidged surface of the rim so asl'o form the slots through which readily slides the band As before mentioned, the provision of thel re# silient loops 25 results in theouter rim 2l being divided into a plurality of perimetral portions upon which are inountedthe usual elastic tread blocks, serving as a tire for tho wheel. The gaps formed between each of these perimetral portions allow for eren perimetral contraction of the outer riin 2l. es a shock or' forcev is impartedL to the riin 2e, the links 29, beinr free to'inove, will cause thee band 33 toslide in the directioii of the arrow sliowiiinY Figure 4, guided iii the bearings The movement of tliebaiid tends to evenly shorten the radii at all points about the circumference of the wheel, and consequently, the riin 24 contractsV without `distorting its configura- `tion from a true circle'.

i lo

The loops 36 areL similar in structure and ormationto the loops 25 except that the loops 36 are invert-y ed iii position.

expand the inner riiii 2" siliency ot' ythe outer riin for shocks.

ln Figure A5, I have shown a still turther The loops 36, by ten'dii'igtov-`l outwardly against the outer i'iiii 24 add'to the 'etl'ectiVe re-v absorbing.

' by the rivets 44. Each respective pair of iiiipi'oved torni of wheel wherein the above` construction`V is supplemented by the' provision of tension springs 37 connected between they links 28 and 29,these springs assistingV in the return expansion of the wheel aittei' contraction and in the return-of the links to the normal position. As before eX- plained, because'otl being pivoted to the rigid rim 22, the links 28 have substantiallyno sliding' motion with respect to the motion ot' the wheel and consequently these links transmit the driving or tractive'eiiort be-' tion ot the band 83, and thus the two sets of links 28 and 29 have a resilient knuckle or toggle action for absorbing road shocks.

site rim. The loop 25 is provided at its inner end with .the bearing 4l adapted to receive `the pintle 42 pivoting the links 28 and 29 to r lthe loop; The v.inner rim 23, in this Vforni is vprovided with'the apertured lug i3 which lies between the links and bearing 4l. The

yloops 36, in tliisinstaiice, are fiat faced at the outer end so as to bear against the inner face of the rim 24, being secured thereto links 28'and 29 function the saineas previously, the slidable band 33 being' operated by the links 29. I iVhen a torce is imparted at anyV particular pointto the wheel, the Vlinks 29 Jactto causetheslidable rim 33 to uniformly contract theouter rim 24," lin doy'ing S05 each resilient loop 25 tends to act mainly upon that portion. of the outer rini 24 between the adjacent'rivets ist. vVhen the loop25 iiexes, the portion ot the iiinv 23 between'the loops 36 yieldsy so as to aid in the flexibility of the rim 24.A

bIn Figure l l have shownr a form of resilient wheel, instead of being provided with y,

V'two resilient rims,as is shownin Figure 8,

Upon the endwise inotio-n one o't the links 29, the band 33 is given `a circular 4sliding motion, with the result that the entire series ot links 29 operate to contract! the wheel unitorn'ily throughoutV by the 'simultaneous contraction oft both rinis 23 and The toriiis o'lrconstiuction hereinbe'tore described, illustrate. preferred embodiments ol the one basic idea of iny invention, yeach being a Vfurther development ot the preced# ing torni. in the developed torni shown in Figure (i, the resilient loop 3G of the inner rim 23 is connected with the outer rini 24 by means oit lugs or downwardly formed projections 39. The lugs 39 are each provided with an aperture ft'oi' the pivot. inem# bers which secure. the links 28 and 29 to the Aloops In this instance, the loop is lorined so as to providea rectangular projection i0 between the gap providedli'n the perimeter of the riin Tlie'project'ion 4.0 lies Hush with and 'forins part of thejouter l Thile there herein described a resilient wheel whose re-` is provided with a single resilient rim. kThe outer riin Qrlis provided with the usual inwardly projecting'loops 25 having tlieupstanding pivotal bearing` portions 2G to whicha're` pivoted the auxiliary spokes. or links 28 and 29. -`Tlie opposite ends oi these links connect-in. tlieusual manner with the `rrigid'rirn "22 and vslidableband respec. Itively. I

has been shown in the forms siliency is vhad f through means disposed in the Iruin it is appai'enttliat the salient features ot thisV yinvention may 'be embodied in torni not having theresiliency disposed This is clearly shown in the 'iliary spokes or links 2S and 29 are provided and are secured to the rigid rim 22 surface of the rini 2a, and is also'so y'positioned that a diagonal thereo'tlie'sfin the.' circuintcreiitial.centerof the rim. "It is apparent that bj.' this construction of linkingl the rinis 23 and 2l together, a more uniform and stronger resiliency is given to the rims and, therefore, a smoother contraction and expansion action is obtained. Tlie'lugs 39 also serve to prevent lateral displacement. of the resilient rims with. respect tor each other.

ln the forni shown in 4Figure S, each resilient loop and 3G is secured to the oppoandslidableband 353 in the usual manner. A'Ilie'oppos-ite ends ot each respective pair ofk auxiliary links pivot theniselves to bearing portions preferably formed at each endi of theiiinv sections 5l. in the contraction oit ythe riinO-the toggle action of the links.. due to the link 28 being stationary and the link 29 being niovablewith respect to the motion of the wheel, causes endwise motion of the link 29, whereupon the band is given a circular motion with the result that. theentire series ot links 29 operate to contract thel wheel uniformly. Inthe expansion of the rim vthe spokes 29 are returneclto normal position by means ot the springs/53. l ff 'i f.

. suspended by means the spokes are rigid in structure,

In Figure l2 there is shown a still further development of my invention. In this construction provision has been made whereby an integral tireA may about 'the periphery of the rim without interference with the contraction and expansion action of the wheel. The outer rim 55 is of a resilient character,having resilientloops 56 provided thereon, and between these loops'pivotal bearing portions 57, to which are pivoted the links 58 and spokes 59. The opposite ends of the spokes 59 pivotally connect with the hubiflange 60,. while the opposite ends of the links 58 pivotally connect with the floating band 6l, w ich is of these links. It will be noted that the tire 62 is substantially solid in structure, this being merely preferable, and secures its resilient compensating action by means of transverse slits 68. The resilient loops 5G of the rim 55 are countersunk inv the inner periphery of the tire, and thereby, when acting to shrink the rim, enables direct control of same simultaneously. As shown, the slits 63 are disposed midwaybetween the loops 56, whichV results in a more uniform disposition of the resiliency and flexibility ofthe wheel. The action of this form of wheel is substantially' similar to' that hereinbefore explained, for, when a shock or force is Aimpartedv to the wheel, the adjacent spoke 59 not having sliding movement with respect to the moe tion of thewheel, is substantially stationary, and thereby permitsits companion-link 58 to move endwise in respect to the rim 55, and in so doing the band 61 is given a circular sliding motion with the result that the entire set of links 58 operate to contract the rim 55 and the tire 62. In contracting, the tire 62 has a tendencyto shorten its inner periphery and also its outer periphery, which tendency is compensatedffor by the resilient loops 56 of the'outer rim and the slits 63 in the tire, respectively.

It will be apparent that I have provided a resilient wheel, which,'when absorbing the shocks imparted thereto, acts to decrease theV radii uniformly and avoid a non-circular distortion. 0f the rim. a true circle, the strength ofthe wheel is greatly increased, as an evendistribution of the stress is obtained. I believe rthat I am. the first 'to devise a resilient Vwheel wherein and wherei the resiliency is disposed in the wheel i and in such a manner as not to unduly weaken the rim itself.-

I claim:

1.V In al resilient wheel having a hub poi tion, a resilient rim, rigid spokes extending between said hub portion and rim, said resilient rim contracting and expanding in a vari-ableJ circumference to cushion shocks imparted thereto, Y

be carried the tire to shrink the By not departing from neiaeao 2. In a resilient wheel having a hub, a rim, spokes of a fixed length connecting said hub and said rim, said spokes acting to contract and expand said rim in a variable circumference.

8. In a resilient Wheel having a hub portion, a rim of Vvariable circumference, and spokes incompressible in their lengths connecting said hub portion and said rim whereby the rim is lpermitted tocontract and expand substantially uniformly about its circumference.

4r. In a resilient wheel having a hubportion, a rim, resilient means disposedA at a plurality of points about said rim, rigid spokes connecting with said hubportion and said rim thro-ugh said resilienty means, said resilient means causing said rim to uniformly contract and expand to compensate-for varying forces acting on said rim.

5. In combination, a hub member, havel ing spokes and a rigid rim, guide members on said rim, a slidable band carried by said guide members, resilient rims, links connecting said resilient rims and slidable band,

I said slidable band acting to uniformly contract and expand said resilient rims.

6. Inr combination, a hub member having spokes :and a rigid rim, resilient rims adapted to contract and expand for absorbi ing shocks or the like, links connecting said rigid rim Vwith said Vresilient rims, means carried by and adapted to have slidable movement relative to said rigid rimr4 and links connecting said resilient 'rims with Vsaid means to cause uniformal contraction and expansion of the resilient rims.

7. In combination, a hub member having' spokes and a rigid rim, resilient rims adapted to contract and expand for absorbing shocks or the like, a Y

band member car-` ried by said rigid rim and adapted to freely move relative thereto, and a pivotal connection between said resilient rims and said rigidl rim and between said resilient rims' and band member, said pivotal connections Vcausing uniformal contraction and expansion of the resilient rims in a variable circumference.

8. In combination, a resilient wheel havhub member with spokes and a ielai ing .a ltively rigid rim, resilient rims having coutractionand expansion` ried by said rigid riin adapted to incre relative to said rigid rim and resiliej rims, and links connecting said. resilient i s, Vrigid. rim and movable vband to permit uniforinal contraction and, expansion kof the wheel.'

9. In combination, a resilient wheel hav-y i ing a hubmember with spokes and a relatively rigid rim, resilient rims adapted to expand and contract, a circumferential band carried by said rigid rim having movement relative to the rigid rim, pivot bearings carried by said resilient rims, pivot bearings carried by said rigid rim and circumferential band, a plurality of link members pivoted to said resilient rims and rigid rim bearings, a plurality of link members pivoted to said resilient rims and circumferential band bearings, said second link mem` bers causing said circumferential band to uniformly contract and expand the resilient rims in a variable circumference.

10. In combination, a resilient wheel having a hub member, spokes and a relatively rigid rim, an outer and an inner rim adapted to be carried in circumferential spaced relation to each other, resilient means provided on and disposed between said outer and inner rims, each of said resilient means adapted to have a flexible connection with said rigid rim and a compensating circumferential member, ksaid circumferential member adapted to distribute absorbed shocks or forces uniformly about the circumference of the wheel.

11. In combination, a resilient wheel liaving a hub portion, spokes and a relatively rigid rim, an outer and an inner rim adapted to be carried in circumferential spaced relation to each other, integral resilient loops LLI on said outer and said inner rim adapted to lie between said rims to permit iexibility of the same, a circumferential band member carried by said rigid rim, and pivotal connections between said integral resilient loops and said rigid rim and between said loops and said circumferential band member whereby uniform absorption of shocks or the like throughout the wheel is obtained.

12. In combination, a resilient wheel having a hub portion, spokes and a relatively rigid rim, an outer and inner resilient rim member disposed in circumferential spaced relation to each other adapted to simultaneously contract and expand, a circumferential band member carried by said rigid rim adapted to freely move relative to the rigid rim, oppositely disposed link members securing said outer and inner resilient rims to said rigid rim and circumferential band member, said link members acting to uniformly contract and expand the resilient rim members and to prevent lateral displacement of the rim members.

13. In combination, a resilient wheel hav-Y to return to normal position to expand the resilient rims.

14. In a wheel, a contractible rim, a hub and members connecting the Yhub and rim, said members all varying substantially equally in angular position with respect to the rim and hub as the rim is contracted.

15. In a wheel, a rim, a hub, members between said hub and said rim, said members being angularly disposed relative to eachI other, and shock absorbing means cooperating with said members whereby in the operation of absorbing shock therelative angularity between said members is changed around the entire circumference of the wheel.

16. In a wheel, the combination of a hub portion, a metallici rim adapted to expand and contract in a variable circumference, and a plurality of longitudinally incompressible members supporting said rim.

17. In a wheel, the combination of a hub portion, a rim adapted to expand and contract in a variable circumference to cushion Vshock imparted thereto, and a plurality of pivotally connected members for supporting said rim, said members being disposed for pivotal motion in the vertical plane of said wheel.

18. In a wheel, a hub member having spokes and a rigid rim, a slidable band member carried by saidrigid rim, an outer rim consisting of sections, link members connected in pairsconnecting said outer rim and said rigid rim and said outer rim and said slidable band, said slidable band uniformly contracting said outer rim, and spring means between the respective pairs of link members for causing the same to return the link members andouter rim to normal position.

19. In a wheel, a rim consisting of sections Y joined by spring means for permitting contraction oft-he circumference of the rim, a circumferential band member having slidable motion in respect to the motion of the wheel, and pivotal connections between said rim and said circumferential bandmember whereby a force imparted to the wheel causes the circumferential band member lto act upon the entire circumference of the rim.

20. In a wheel, a resilient rim consisting of sections for permitting contraction of the circumference thereof, a stationary member carried by the hub of the wheel, a movable band member disposed between said ref silient rim and said stationary member, and a series of links pivotally connecting said resilient rim, stationary member and band member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 10th day of November, 1920.

FRANCIS B. CRITCHLOW. 

